Transmission Abuse Reduction Training Program

This case study outlines a training program implemented to address issues related to transmission abuse in the Cat® 785 RDT haul truck fleet at Tharisa Mine in South Africa. Following a return to operations post COVID-19, an increase in transmission-related alarms and costs was observed. To mitigate these issues, embedded trainers and on-site advisors were brought back in early June, and a targeted training curriculum was developed for haul truck operators. The training focused on correct brake application and gear selection using simulators. The impact of the training was assessed through continuous monitoring of fleet data via VisionLink reports, correlating financial data with fleet management metrics. The results indicated a significant improvement, with a 53% reduction in transmission abuse warnings, a 64% decrease in engine overspeed warnings, and a 23% reduction in transmission-related expenditures. The study highlights the effectiveness of targeted training in enhancing equipment health and reducing operational costs.